South Florida Issues Topic of Upcoming Workshops; Share Your Input

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in conjunction with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Councils), will host five workshops to gather public input on south Florida marine fisheries regulations and issues.

In 2011, an Ad Hoc Joint Committee composed of the two Councils and the FWC was formed to identify issues in south Florida and create joint management solutions. South Florida waters are managed by the FWC and the Councils. The area is also home to several species that are unique to the region. These workshops are a beginning step into examining issues that are particular to south Florida.

For example, the yellowtail snapper fishery is almost exclusively in south Florida, yet because it is managed by three different entities, its season may close to harvest in one area of south Florida, such as federal waters of the Atlantic, while remaining open in other areas, such as state waters or federal waters of the Gulf. The committee would like public input on managing yellowtail snapper on a regional basis and as a whole population instead of by state waters and Gulf and Atlantic federal waters. A similar discussion will also focus on mutton snapper.

For questions or comments, please contact the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..